The Temptation of Jesus

THOUGHTS TO CONSIDER

The Judean Wilderness

The Bedouin people say the Judean Wilderness is not a place you make home.

At night it gets extremely dark, dangerous and cold.

A place of desperate loneliness.

The only animals that survive are scorpions, snakes & birds feeding on leftovers.

Lessons of the Wilderness

People and animals must adapt to the rules of the wilderness in order to survive.

You can’t leave the wilderness unchanged… it changes you!

There is nothing to lean upon, no security, no safety… ONLY GOD!

In the wilderness God simply asks, “Do you TRUST me!”

The Wilderness in Scripture

God uses the wilderness to humble, test, and teach his people to TRUST in Him alone! James: “For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone.” But he does test his people:

Adam & Eve tested in the garden with a feast before them - Fails the Test!

Jesus in a wilderness, 6 weeks without food - Passes the Test!

Abraham is tested; Job is tested; Israel & Judah while in exile…

Matthew connects Israel being tested in the wilderness to Jesus the New Moses!

Nation of Israel was called “God’s Son” who came out from Egypt - but failed!

For Matthew, Jesus is the true Son out of Egypt who passed the Test.

Israel were led into the wilderness 40 years; Jesus is led of the Spirit 40 days.

In the wilderness Moses fasted and prayed 40 days; Jesus fasts and prays 40days.

After the 1st generation die in wilderness; Moses encourages the 2nd generation in DEUT 6 - 8.

“Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna.…”

When Jesus responds to the temptations of Satan, like Moses, he quotes from Deuteronomy chapters 6 & 8. How amazing!

THOUGHTS TO GRASP - The Test

THE 1ST TEMPTATION - From the Wilderness

1 John 2:16 - “For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.”

“If you are the Son of God… Did God really say?” - Satan uses the same temptation that he used with Eve.

The Test - Who will you believe? Who do you trust?

Eve weighed the options, looked at the trees and the fruit. “Maybe Satan is right!”

Satan challenges God’s Word: “If you are the Son of God???”

At his baptism God declared - “This is my Beloved Son, who fills me with pleasure!”

Satan suggests God’s word is not true - “If…”, “You can’t trust God!”

God provided Moses bread, water, quail… yet they lost heart and lost trust!

Satan tells Jesus to turn stones into bread… if God gave Manna… Surely???

Jesus’ Response - Deuteronomy 8:3

Israel complained that God does not supply their needs. Like Moses, he stands on God’s Word: “It is written”…“Man shall not live by bread alone”

Bread would taste lovely, but I feast on every word that comes my father’s mouth.

I delight in his laws. I feast upon his word. They are honey on my lips.

Later, Jesus will feed the 5000 & 4000, and will declare, “I am the Bread of Heaven!”

THE 2ND TEMPTATION - From the Highest Pinnacle on the Temple

“If you trust God’s word that much, let Him fulfil Psalm 91:11 and come to the Temple with me!”.

Malachi 3:1 - “Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple.”

“God promises that the angels will protect you! And what a display of power!” “ALL will see!”

Satan misquotes the Psalm and misses a line: “to guard you in all your ways”

Psalm 91 was used (ironically) by Rabbi’s in Jesus’ day for exorcism - casting out demons.

Jesus’ Response - Deuteronomy 6:16

“Do not put the Lord your God to the test!”

Satan tries to put the Word of God to the test!

Does God really care, love, heal, deliver, help, save?

Is the Lord among us (as they said at Massah)?

TODAY… Do you doubt His love and mercy?

Have you questioned God’s presence: “is God really with me?”

How wonderful that as Jesus walks in the appointed way, the angels come and minister to him.

THE 3RD TEMPTATION - From a High Mountain

“I will give you everything that you see. Just worship me!”

Satan was offering Jesus the kingdoms of the world without the Cross.

“My kingdom is not of this world…”

Jesus came to this world to redeem it, to save us from our sins, to reconcile us back to God.

Satan offers the kingdoms of this world without the cross, just worship me!

King Saul worships in a wrong way and with wrong attitude, and loses the kingdom.

“Obey is better than sacrifice!”

Jesus’ Response - Deuteronomy 6:13

“Fear the Lord your God, serve him only… WORSHIP GOD ALONE!

Away with you, Satan!”

His rebuke was the same rebuke he gave Peter, “Get behind mind Satan!”

The Kingdom of God involves the Cross, Weakness, Mourning, Suffering, Persecution…

“BLESSED” are those who follow, trust, and receive their King.

Who follow in His ways!

The Angels are ready to go at once to minister to the One who has Triumphed! ...not because he is about to hurt his feet, but because he has kept Himself in “the Way”.

THOUGHTS TO PONDER

Lessons from the Wilderness

The wilderness can be a lonely, dark, desolate and dangerous place.

In the wilderness we learn to trust God more fully, and love Him more dearly!

When Jesus came out of the wilderness, he came out in the power of the Spirit.

May you come out of your wilderness in the power of the Holy Spirit!

Are you going through the wilderness right now?

God simply asks, “Will you TRUST me!”

“Behold the Lamb! Behold the Son, Behold the Lion of Judah!”

He is our Conquering and Victorious King of kings!

“Do you trust me? “

“Then believe on my Son, follow Him, live for Him, love Him, obey Him!”